TOKYO
Denise and I landed at Haneda Airport at around 8pm, so decided to grab a cab to our hotel in Ginza rather than tackle the various public transport options - the cab ride cost about A$80. We stayed at the Mercure Tokyo Ginza Hotel, situated in the heart of Ginza and above a subway station. Ginza is the higher end of the market in Tokyo, with it’s Gucci and Prada type stores lining the streets. The hotel was a lovely Western hotel with a great buffet breakfast with a Japanese twist – no bacon and eggs, but plenty of options that Westerners would enjoy. It was about a 25 min walk to the main Tokyo station, so a little far from the hub of Tokyo and it's vibrant night-life. Our room was super comfy and we experienced our first hi-tech Japanese toilet! A short stroll from the hotel was Nelson's Bar, a convenient spot for a night-cap after our long flight.
Tokyo Station
We walked down to the main Station to activate our Japanese Rail passes, a process that took a couple of hours due to the extensive queues and seemingly over-bureaucratic process. Fortunately we didn't have a train to catch, but there were plenty of folk in the line who looked like they did! So, allow at least two hours to get the pass validated. That aside, the station is an impressive building. It was partially destroyed by fire-bombing during WW2, but was quickly rebuilt. It even has it's own art museum!
Foodie Tour
We had booked a cycling tour through Nakano, a suburban area near Shinjuku Station (the largest in Tokyo). Unfortunately Denise broke her collar bone, so we had to change to a walking tour which was an amazing experience. Our guide Andy is Australian, but has lived in Japan for many years. He specialises in taking tourists to out-of-the-way eating places and introducing them to authentic Japanes fare. Our walk also passed through the main Manga and Anime shops in that area - a real eye-opener! We recommend that first-time visitors do one of these rides/walks as a cultural intro to Japan. Andy can be reached on andy@digtokyotours.com
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing is the largest single crossing point in the world, where over 2,500 pedestrians flood into the intersection when the lights turn green. It was raining when we were there, so the numbers were down a bit, but still an amazing sight. We enjoyed a coffee and doughnut at the Starbucks, a popular spot that overlooks the crossing.
Meiji Shrine
Meiji was the first Japanese temple/shrine that we visited. While it wasn't the most impressive one on our trip, it did open our eyes to the deep spiritual history of this country. We were lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding taking place when we were there, and used that as an omen to buy a "fortune charm" which promised success and prosperity for our business.
Mori Art Exhibition
Neither Denise nor me are art buffs, so visiting the Mori Exhibition was a bit of a novelty for us...... I'll just leave it at that!
The Tokyo Tower
The Tokyo Tower is the highest self-supported steel tower in the world, edging out the Eiffel Tower by 3 metres! While on our way there, we were passed by one of the iconic go-kart tours, where drivers dress up as their favourite cartoon characters. The observation deck allows 360 degree views of the sprawling city. There's even a small shrine on this deck.
The Shimbashi District
Andy, our foodie tour guide, had told us that the best Japanese eating places are generally below the elevated railway lines. We found this to be true, after an evening in the area near Shimbasi Station. Here the working class folk pack the tiny bars and restaurants, many only accomodating six or eight patrons at a time. We enjoyed a few beers and some delicious sashimi before wandering through the narrow streets and absorbing the vibe.
Odaiba and Team Labs Planet
We spent an afternoon across the Bay in the Odaiba district. This is an area of futuristic attractions, including the huge Unicorn Gundam statue and the amazing Team Labs Planet. This was probably the highlight of our Tokyo stay and we thoroughly recommend that all visitors experience the sensory overload of Team Labs.
All in all we loved Tokyo, more for it's vibrancy and modern attractions, than for its cultural and historical attractions. Make sure that you give yourself at least two full days in Tokyo.